Cornhuskers hot after Tata

But the former St. Louis standout denies he is leaning toward Nebraska

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

It's getting close to D-Day - Decision Day - for the state's hottest football recruiting prospect.

Tony Tata, the Star-Bulletin's Defensive Player of the Year for 1997, said last night he is cancelling all additional meetings with coaches from schools pursuing his verbal commitment.

"I just want to confer with my brothers now," said Tata, whose last visit was to co-national champion Nebraska last weekend.

The Star-Bulletin has received information that indicates the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Tata is leaning strongly toward the Cornhuskers, but he denied it.

"I'm considering all of them," said the two-time all-state defensive lineman. Besides Nebraska, Tata also has made trips to Arizona, Colorado, Utah and California.

High school seniors cannot sign national letters of intent until Feb. 4.

Nebraska officials said yesterday that assistant coach George Darlington would travel back to Honolulu next week to speak with Tata. Such late recruiting trips are rare for Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers reportedly have more than 20 commitments and have four or five prospects in mind for the remaining few scholarships. When asked if that fact would hasten his decision, Tata said no.

He said he will make his decision by the middle of next week after he talks with brothers Vae Tata (currently at UCLA) and Pulou Tata and Silila and Tasi Malepeai, all former University of Oregon players.

In 1996, his first year as a starter at left defensive tackle, Tata had 16 sacks and 60 tackles.

Last season he had 10 sacks and 74 tackles - 23 for losses. He also had 37 hurries, 19 knockdowns, forced three fumbles and recovered one.

"What makes him stand out is his speed for his body," St. Louis head coach Cal Lee said.

Tata has been timed at 4.72 seconds in the 40, bench-presses 365 pounds, power-cleans more than 275 and squats more than 450.

Ing Aleaga, Aiea's 6-3, 280-pound second-team all-state defensive lineman, said last night he has narrowed his choices to Colorado and Washington State. Aleaga is the younger brother of New Orleans Saints linebacker Ink Aleaga.

Kamehameha all-state all-purpose back Justin Takasaki said he has been offered a scholarship by the University of Hawaii, but is yet to commit.

Yesterday, Jason Gesser, St. Louis' two-time all-state quarterback, committed to Washington State.